“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of His Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
The Revive Our Hearts ministry has a motto they keep in mind as their purpose for existing: I serve at the pleasure of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I think over that motto as I prepare to lead a medical mission trip to Honduras this week. It helps me remember that I am not the leader, my boss is the Lord Jesus Christ and He will make a way for our team to serve him. We will be taking no medical professionals from the US, the doctors and nurses are Hondurans, ready and willing to serve alongside us. My team members are enthusiastic and hardworking, some have never been on a mission trip, or flown on an airplane. I know the Lord will help them and enable them to do His work. The apostles Peter and Paul called themselves “servants of Jesus Christ,” so I know we’re in good company!
Acts 1:8 tells us, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our Savior, but being “filled” with the Spirit comes through prayer and dependence on Him. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to DO His work. Where is my Jerusalem? Where is my Judea? Samaria? Ends of the earth? Certainly, Jerusalem is the community where we live. Is our Christian influence felt in the area around our homes, churches and workplaces? And our Judea? Do we take a stand against the worldview in our country, or do we succumb to the culture? We are not powerless, we are His witnesses. The same spirit that empowered the apostles can empower believers of all ages. Jesus is sending us to Honduras and it seems like the “end of the earth.” Will it be difficult, will it stretch us? Yes!! When we’re called to be His hands and feet, our kindness and gentleness will be observed before we say a word. He has promised to be with us always, so we go forward counting on His direction.
It’s been said there are five great obstacles to the gospel in Africa, indeed in Honduras and all parts of the world. Using the acronym SHEEP, they are as follows:
- Spiritual darkness
- Health
- Ethics
- Education
- Poverty
When the light of Christ filters through the darkness, many of these obstacles are eliminated. Our role is to minister healing to the sick, bring about changed lives, challenging young faith, opening new doors, building relationships, and developing unity. Please pray for us!! We go forward on our knees!!
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NLT). “We are like jars of clay in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us and when we are knocked down, we get up again.”
Blessings to you, Jean